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Hollywood Theatre - Buchanan MI

Address: 421 West Front Street
City: Buchanan
State: MI
Zip: 49107
County: Berrien
Open:
Capacity:
Owner History: Don R. Pears
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 4772
General Information:

This theater operated the 1920's after an earlier theater named "The Nicolo" was moved to this location in 1916 when the name was changed to the Princess. Talkies were installed in 1930 but unfortunately the Princess went bankrupt in 1932 and was sold.

Under new management in August of 1933, the name was change to the Hollywood by H. C. Monroe from Omaha Nebraska. He also upgraded the sound and projection at that time.

By May 1935 the theater changed hands again when Mr. Monroe sold it to E. C. Hoffman of Duluth Minnesota. The ads for the theater continue on through the late 1950's but not much after that other than mentions of the "former" theater building. Special thanks to Vivian Lick of the Buchanan District Library for newspaper articles.

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Info Updates:
1/20/2004 - Berrien County Record
Aug 3, 1933 Issue - New Hollywood Theatre Opens Friday Night New Wide Range Sound Equipment; Opens with "Elmer the Great", featuring Joe E. Brown. Tomorrow, Friday August 4th, the re-named Hollywood Theatre (formerly Princess) opens with the new perfected "Wide Range" talking picture equipment, together with the boy with the air-cooled tonsils, Joe E. Brown in "Elmer the Great," an original baseball story adaptation by Ring Lardner. Joe takes you from his small home town in Indiana right thru to his ringing climax as the season's greatest baseball star. Its comedy, and plenty of it, from start to finish. On the same program is a Technicolor musical review, "Hey, Hey Westerner," plus Lowell Thomas in "Whale of a Yarn" and a Mickey Mouse cartoon. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday brings Buchanan the smashing miracle picture of the year, "42nd Street." Brilliant music, dazzling stars, new songs and wise-cracking Broadway and show world dialog that is sure to please. New song hits such as "42nd Street," and "Shuffle off to Buffalo" are given full play in the picture. Added attractions are, "An Idle Roomer," two reels of roaring comedy and the always popular Paramount talking news. Wednesday and Thursday are Bargain Nights at the Hollywood, and the first Wednesday and Thursday brings that new "sweetheart" team, James Dunn and Sally Ellers in their latest starring picture together, "Hold me Tight." It's James Dunn and Sally Ellers as you like them best. Screen Snapshots of Hollywood stars at home and at play, and a Silly Symphony cartoon completes the program. The opening announcement of the Hollywood Theatre appears on the last page of this issue. Buchanan welcomes the opening of the Hollywood and its new policies.
1/20/2004 - Berrien County Record
July 27, 1933 Issue - Princess Theatre will re-open as the "Hollywood" The local theatre will be opened about August 4, with a new manager, H. C. Monroe, and a new name, "The Hollywood." Manager Monroe was in Buchanan yesterday and stated the he is installing new wide-range, sound-perfected machines, representing the last degree in motion picture equipment. This wide-range apparatus makes possible the full reproduction of every note and quality of the human voice.
1/20/2004 - Berrien County Record
July 20, 1933 Issue - H.C. Monroe, former Watervlet movie theatre operator, takes over property. Open Thursday, July 27. The Princess theatre will be opened again Thursday, July 27, the opening day of the Centennial under new management and perhaps under a new name. The business and the equipment being purchased by H. C. Monroe, former Watervlet Theatre operator, late of Omaha Nebraska. Mr. Monroe states that he expects to arrive in Buchanan in few days and immediately will take steps to rush installation of new equipment for the beginning of the Buchanan Centennial and Home Coming July 27. A new sign and several changes in the advertising display system will be the changes in the exterior. He states that because of the recent installation of comfortable, upholstered seats plus adequate ventilation, attractive decorations and correct acoustics, the Princess offers everything to the theatre goer that any theater can offer anywhere. A system of popular prices adapted to present day income will prevail. Monroe is a veteran in the picture business, having formerly operated theatres at Watervlet and at Bangor, in addition to several years of experience in distribution and advertising. He plans to install complete new wire-range, high-fidelity sound equipment, superior to anything previously known locally. In addition to technical improvements he assures his prospective patrons of a march of a "New Season" talking motion pictures hits from every major studio.
12/18/2003 - Box Office Magazine
May 1960 - Don R. Pears, owner of the Hollywood Theatre, will be candidate for Congress on the Republican ticket in 1962. He hopes to succeed Representitive Clare E. Hoffman of the Fourth Michigan District, one of the senior members of Congress. Pears has been active in politics for some years, serving in the state legislature and now is in his second year as speaker of the house. He plans to run for the legislature again this year and seek a second term as speaker.
 Photos:17
Hollywood Theatre - VINTAGE PIC
VINTAGE PIC
Hollywood Theatre - FLYER
FLYER
Hollywood Theatre - FLYER
FLYER
Hollywood Theatre - 1921 11 JUN
1921 11 JUN
Hollywood Theatre - 1935 1 MAY
1935 1 MAY
Hollywood Theatre - 27 OCT 1982 50 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ARTICLE
27 OCT 1982 50 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Hollywood Theatre - AUG 1 1928
AUG 1 1928
Hollywood Theatre - AUG 1 1933 NAME CHANGE FROM CINDERELLA TO HOLLYWOOD
AUG 1 1933 NAME CHANGE FROM CINDERELLA TO HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood Theatre - COMPARISON TO CURRENT STREETVIEW THEATER WAS DEMOLISHED
COMPARISON TO CURRENT STREETVIEW THEATER WAS DEMOLISHED
Hollywood Theatre - DEC 19 1963 ROBBERY
DEC 19 1963 ROBBERY
Hollywood Theatre - MARCH 23 1962
MARCH 23 1962
Hollywood Theatre - MARCH 24 1930
MARCH 24 1930
Hollywood Theatre - MARCH 24 1962 THEATER IS NEXT TO HARDWARE STORE
MARCH 24 1962 THEATER IS NEXT TO HARDWARE STORE
Hollywood Theatre - MARCH 7 1929
MARCH 7 1929
Hollywood Theatre - MAY 1 1958 AD
MAY 1 1958 AD
Hollywood Theatre - MAY 2 1925 ORGAN INSTALL
MAY 2 1925 ORGAN INSTALL
Hollywood Theatre - OCT 26 1932 BANKRUPT
OCT 26 1932 BANKRUPT
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